It Happened in the Deep
p. 85 · Read in the full issue
Book Reviews :
It Happened in the Deep South of France
ONE of the most flamboyant pro ducts of Australasian journalism in recent years has been Mr.
Eric Baume —born in New Zealand and of Jewish descent, but having served most of his literary life in the cause of Australia’s big city dailies. During the recent war he was a war correspondent in Europe and the UK for the Sydney Daily Mirror and Truth interests; and after the war remained on as foreign correspondent.
More recently there was some rift in the lute of his happiness with the DM and he is now devoting himself to broadcasting from one of Sydney’s commercial stations — one of those very personal sessions which is said to be followed avidly by a listening-audience of middle aged women.
All this being so, one scarcely ex pects Daume to have written The Mortal Sin of Father Grossard, a delicately written, but gay story of southern France, recently at hand from Angus and Robertson, Sydney publishers.
It tells the story of a middle aged American spinster who adopts the identity of her dead friend and
sets off to visit her dead friend’s son’s grave in the Dordogne district of France. Thereat begin the com plications, because Byron (the son) becomes, in death, a much greater personage than he ever was in life: to the simple people of La Perige, where his plane was reported to have been shot down, a tangible re minder of the Gallant Allies who had died to help France, and, in deed, of all Youth that had died for France.
The story is light, amusing and exceedingly well done. Excellent holiday reading material; and worthy of a place on your Christmas gift list. (Australian price, 13/6).
Something About The Navy
Also from A & R recently: Fight ing Ships of Australia and New Zealand, by Lieu t.-Commander Frank Norton, RANVR. Probably a very suitable gift for a lad who contemplates making the sea his career; of interest, too, to lads of all ages who have served at sea or .who are interested in ships.
Lavishly illustrated by drawings and diagrams. Australian price 15/-. if Mr. D. M. Freegard arrived at Tarawa in July on transfer from the New Hebrides administration, and has assumed duties as Assistant Secretary to Government, Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.